Hundreds of police officers descend on parts of Merseyside - here's why

The large-scale action, codenamed Operation Vanguard, sees a “huge” number of officers and police vehicles on the ground as the force undertakes a “sustained and relentless offensive against criminals operating in our local communities”.

Explaining the reasoning behind the operation, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “We know the overwhelming majority of the people in Knowsley are decent people who work hard and want to live in peace, but their lives are blighted by those involved in criminality, whether that be drug supply, serious violence, Violence Against Women and Girls, robbery, retail crime, theft or serious organised crime.”

Recent serious crimes across Knowsley have included two firearms discharges in the Huyton area, an attempted murder of a child in Kirkby, which resulted in a 15-year-old boy being convicted, and two arrests after an 18-year-old in Huyton lost his hand after being attacked at a house party in September.

As a result, the local policing area has stood up Operation ZINC (response to ASB related activity) and Operation Athena, an operational response to a critical incident.

This morning, Merseyside Police have executed 16 warrants and throughout the day there will be further activity including:

• Land searches
• Underwater searches
• Roadside operations by the Roads Policing Team
• Safeguarding of vulnerable people being exploited by ruthless criminals
• Reassurance visits

• Activity by the County Lines team
• Patrols by officers from our Local Policing Team, supported by officers from Matrix, Licensing, firearms and our Mounted and Dogs teams
• Activity by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit
• Targeting of suspects wanted for numerous offences including those involved in domestic abuse, serious violence, fraud, neighbourhood crime and drug related offending amongst other criminality

Chief Constable Rob Carden said: “The scale and impact of today’s operation should leave criminals in absolutely no doubt - we are here, we are watching, and if you are involved in criminality you can expect a knock on your door.

“This is one of the largest operations of this type that we have conducted in many years and demonstrates very clearly our contempt for those involved in criminality.

“This morning we have seen doors of suspects going in and throughout the day cars will be stopped, undergrowth and canals searched and there will have been significant numbers of officers on patrols in those areas the public tell us have been harmed by criminality.

“That work will continue throughout the day, and with colleagues from North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport police, Knowsley Council and other partners in this unified endeavour to tackle criminality.

“Today’s action reinforces our commitment to cracking down on crime and putting offenders behind bars, and we will not stop until justice has been served.

“The focus of all of this is the protection of the public, and a vital part of today is the support and safeguarding we provide for vulnerable victims, alongside our partners including Knowsley Council and local charities and support services.

“Yesterday marked the end of 16 Days of activism across the world to end violence against women and girls, but our work to eliminate an issue that causes harm across Merseyside goes on 365 days a year and bringing offenders who hurt women and girls to justice is a key part of today’s activity.”

Chief Constable Carden added: “While today is all about making a clear statement of intent in our fight to tackle criminality, I want to stress that the activity we are undertaking today goes on right across Merseyside 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.”

Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, warned: “The message is clear from Knowsley – if you break the law, there will be consequences.”

If you have any information call 101 or contact Merseyside Police on social media @MerPolCC. You can also report information via Merseyside Police’s website here.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here. In an emergency always call 999.